Child-resistant closure

ABSTRACT

A child-resistant dispensing closure is disclosed which has a cap and a spout movably mounted on the cap so as to be capable of being moved between opened and closed positions. Preferably the closure has two separate latch means which engage different portions of the spout when the spout is in the closed position. With this structure both latch means must be manually manipulated so that the spout can be moved from the closed position to the open position.

United States Patent m1 Hazard CHILD-RESISTANT CLOSURE [75] Inventor:Robert E. Hazard, North Kingstown. RI.

[731 Assignee: Polytop Corporation, Slatcrsvillc.

[22] Filed: Nov. 17, 1972 [2]] Appl No.: 307.5[6

[521 US. Cl. 222/153; 222/534; 222/538 [51] Int. Cl 867d 5/32 [58] Fieldof Search 222/513, 517, 534, 535, 222/536. 538, 498. I53, 530

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,717.726 x /i955 Mart222/536 X 2.893.612 7/195; Akers 222/536 3.221950 l2/l965 O'Donnell222/534 X [451 May 20, 1975 3255.930 6/!966 Woodard 222/534 X 3.477.618ll/l969 Hazard 222/536 X 3,655,099 4Il972 Hazard 222/536 X 3.702.|65ll/l972 Carow et al. 222/536 X Primary liruminvr-Allen N. KnowlesAssistant Examiner-Joseph J. Rolla Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Edward D.O'Brian 57] ABSTRACT A child-resistant dispensing closure is disclosedwhich has a cap and a spout movably mounted on the cap so as to becapable of being moved between opened and closed positions. Preferablythe closure has two separate latch means which engage different portionsof the spout when the spout is in the closed position. With thisstructure both latch means must be manually manipulated so that thespout can be moved from the closed position to the open position.

[7 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures 1 CHILD-RESISTANT CLOSURE CROSS-REFERENCETO RELATED APPLICATIONS Hazard et al. U.S. patent application Ser. No.58,355 filed July 20, I970 entitled Safety Dispensing Closure", now U.S.Pat. No. 3,718,238, issued July 27,

Hazard U.S. patent application Ser. No. 305,487, filed Nov. I0, 1972,entitled, Dispensing Closure with Spout Mounted in Closure Skirt".

Hazard U.S. patent application Ser. No. 305,559 filed Nov. l0, l972entitled, "Dispensing Closure with Pump Elements.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS Hazard U.S. Pat. No. 3,477,618 issuedNov. ll, I969, entitled Dispensing Closure".

Hazard U.S. Pat. No. 3,655,099 issued Apr. 11, 1972, entitled RotatableSpout Closures with Latch Structures.

Hazard U.S. Pat. No. 3,655,103 issued Apr. 11, 1972, entitled SafetyDispensing Closures".

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This specification relates to dispensingclosures having a cap which is adapted to be formed integrally with orformed so as to be mounted upon a container and having a spout movablymounted on the cap so as to be capable of being moved between an openedposition in which the passage within a spout is in alignment with theopening extending through the container and a closed position in whichthe spout seals off the opening through the cap. More specifically, thisspecification relates to dispensing closures as are indicated in thepreceding sentence which are of a child-resistant character.

Currently millions of common dispensing closures as indicated in theinitial sentence of this specification are being manufactured and soldevery month in packaging a wide variety of different products. Suchclosures are relatively inexpensive structures. They are normallymanufactured out of a resilient polyolefin material such as polyethyleneby relatively inexpensive injection molding techniques. When formed ofsuch a material, the parts within them are normally snapped together sothat the spouts on these closures can be moved as indicated after theyare assembled. While unquestionably closures as indicated are verydesirable and effective nevertheless there is a certain resistance tothe use of common dispensing closures because of the fact that theseclosures can normally be opened with relative case.

A number of different expedients have been proposed to make such commondispensing closures relatively child resistant so that these closurescan be used with a degree of safety with relatively hazardous materials.As used here, the term hazardous is employed in a broad sense so as toinclude not only materials which are toxic, but materials which mightcause physical damage of one sort or another. Among the expedients whichhave been proposed are various types of de tent structures andcombinations of detent structures. It has also been proposed to utilizerotatable locking rings, to mount such closures so that they themselveshave to be rotated and to utilize extended latch structures.Unquestionably expedients of the various types indicated herein aremeritorious and may be satisfactory in various applications.

However, it is considered that there still exists a need for new andimproved child-resistant closures. More specifically there exists a needfor child-resistant closures operating on somewhat different principalsthan prior resistant dispensing closures. Further, it is considered thatthere exists a need for closures of this type which will effectivelyseal off the ends of the spouts used with them when these spouts are inclosed positions so as to prevent any reasonable possibility of viscousmaterials remaining in these spouts and drying out when the spouts areleft in closed positions.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A broad objective of the presentinvention is to provide child-resistant closures which are intended tofullfil the need for improvement in the dispensing closure field brieflyindicated in the preceding discussion. A more specific objective of thepresent invention is to provide new and improved child-resistantclosures which can be manufactured at a comparatively nominal cost,which may be effectively utilized as dispensing closures and which,although of a child resistant character, are of such a nature that theymay be easily opened by people of normal faculties even if suchindividuals should be relatively infirm.

In accordance with this invention these and various related objectivesare achieved in a dispensing closure having a cap and a spout, the capincluding a skirt for attaching the closure to a container and anopening leading through the cap, the spout being movably mounted on thecap and having a passage extending through it, the spout being capableof being moved between a closed position in which the opening is sealedoff by contact with the spout and an open position in which the passageis in alignment with the opening, by the improvement which comprises:latch means which are formed integrally with the cap of a resilientmaterial and which includes holding means to be engaged by the spoutwhen the spout is moved from an open position to a closed position sothat such movement causes temporary deflection of the latch means as thespout is placed in a closed position.

The latch means used are sufficiently resilient so as to return topositions in which the holding means engage parts of the spout so as tohold the spout against rotation when the spout has been moved to aclosed position. Preferably the latch means indicated in the precedingdiscussion operate so as to seal off a spout when the spout is in thisclosed position so as to prevent any chance of material being entrainedwithin the spout drying out when the spout is in a closed position.

Preferably a dispensing closure of the invention includes two of suchlatch means which require manipulation by both of the hands of a user sothat a spout cannot be readily opened except if an individual iscoordinated enough to operate both of the latch means simultaneously.Further, preferably the closure includes a spring means for releasingand moving a spout from a closed position when a latch means asdescribed is moved out of engagement with the spout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING It is considered impossible to fullyand completely indicate the nature of the concepts embodied within astructure in accordance with this specification in a summary such as thepreceding summary. Further de tails of such a structure and suchconcepts are best explained with reference to the remainder of thisspecification, the appended claims and the accompanying drawing inwhich:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a presently preferred embodiment or formof a child-resistant closure of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view taken at line 2-2 of FIG. 1;and

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2 showingthe closure in an open position.

The precise closure illustrated in the drawing is only one physicalstructure embodying the concepts indicated by this specification. Theseconcepts are consid ered to be fully defined by the appended claimsforming a part of this disclosure. These concepts may be employed in anumber of different ways in various differ ently constructed anddifferently appearing closures through the use or exercise of routineengineering skill in the dispensing closure field.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the drawing there isshown a child-resistant closure l utilized on a container or bottle 12.This container 12 has a generally flat top 14 which carries a centrallylocated upstanding cylindrical neck 16. This neck 16 preferably includesat least one continuous. concentric head 18 extending around itsperiphery in a plane percommodate a normal human finger and shouldextend to immediately adjacent to the neck 16.

The closure includes a cap 24 and a spout 26. Both this cap 24 and thisspout 26 are preferably formed of a conventional polyolefin material sothat structures of these parts permit them to be snapped together insuch a manner that the spout 26 may be rotated between a closed positionas shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and an opened position as shown in FIG. 3. Inthis particular closure 10 shown the spout 26 lies generally in avertically extending groove 28 located in a skirt 30 of the cap 24 whenthe spout 26 is in a closed position.

This skirt 30 depends from a flat top 32 of the cap 24. Preferably it isprovided with external serrations 34 which are intended to facilitateits use. A subskirt 56 depends from the top 32 within the skirt 30. Thissub skirt 36 is of a cylindrical configuration and is adapted to fitaround the exterior ofthe neck 16. Preferably this subskirt 36 carriesbeads 38 which are adapted to snap over and engage the beads 18 so as toform a series of seals between the neck 16 and the subskirt 36.

The spout 26 may be movably mounted upon the cap 24 in any convenient,known manner. In the structure shown aligned bearing openings 42provided with pop through restricted entrances 44 are located within theskirt 30 on opposite sides of the groove 28. With this structure alignedtrunnions 46 on the spout 26 may be snapped into the openings 42 so asto rotatably mount this spout 26. When the spout 26 is positioned inthis manner a cylindrical base 48 on the spout 26 fits within anenlarged end of the groove 28 against a known or conventional type ofdeformable sealing ring 52.

This ring 52 extends from the interior of the cap 24 around an opening54 leading through this cap 24. The sealing ring 52 is constructed so asto fit against the base 48 in all positions of the spout 26 so as to allform a seal with the base 48. When the spout 26 is in a closed positionas shown a passage 56 leading through this spout 26 from the end ispositioned out of communication with the opening 54 and this opening issealed off by the base 48. When the spout 26 is in an open po sition asshown this passage 56 is in alignment or substantial alignment with theopening 54.

The closure 10 is constructed in such a manner that the spout 26 connotbe moved from a closed position to an open position until it is rotatedon the container 12 to a position in which the spout 26 is opposite thegroove 22. Such rotation may be conveniently accomplished manually. Whenthe spout 26 is in substantial alignment with the groove 22 a smalllatch structure 58 extending from the base or bottom 60 of the groove 28may be manually engaged so as to be pushed downwardly. This latchstructure 58 is essentially a flat tab of such dimension as tocompletely cover an end 62 of the spout 26 which is unattached to thecap 24 except along the bottom 60.

This latch structure 58 is preferably placed so that when the spout 26is in a closed position it fits against this end 62 in such a manner asto effectively close off or seal the passage 56. The latch structure 58prefera' bly includes a tooth-shaped holding or mating element 64 which.when the latch structure 58 is in a closed position fits within thepassage 56 so as to preclude rotation of the spout 26. From this it willbe apparent that when the latch structure 58 is pushed downwardly thespout 26 will be released so that it can be rotated to an open position.

Preferably a small bump 66 is located in the bottom 60 in a position inwhich it is engaged and held under compression by the spout 26 when thisspout is held in a closed position by the latch structure 58. If desiredthis bump 66 can be located on the spout 26. Because of the resiliencyof the material within the cap 24 as the latch structure 58 is releasedthis hump 66 will act as a spring means to automatically partiallyrotate the spout 26 from a closed position. As the result of such anaction the same hand which can be used to release the latch structure 58can subsequently be utilized to engage the spout 26 so as to rotate itto an open position after this spout 26 is released.

The cap 24 is also preferably formed with a second latch structure 68corresponding to the structure 58 previously described. This latchstructure 68 is essentially a flat tab forming a part of the top 32which is unattached to this top 32 along opposed parallel side edges 70.This latch structure 68 includes a tooth shaped-holding or matingelement 72 which is also adapted to snap within the end of the passage56 so as to hold the spout 26 against rotation when it is in a closedposition.

When the latch structure 68 is used it must be pulled upwardly at thesame time that the latch structure 58 is pushed downwardly so that thespout 26 is released in such a manner that it may be moved to an openposition as shown. It will be realized that this involves two differentsimilar motions which must be performed concurrently. Normally, twohands will be required for such concurrent movement of the latchstructures or means 58 and 68. This two-motion feature is considered tocontribute materially to the child-res tant lea tures of the completeclosure 10. These features encompass within the broad sense the separateconcept that the closure 10 must be properly located relative to thecontainer 12 before it can be opened.

From a consideration of the preceding it will be real ized that with thedescribed structures both ends of the passage 56 are effectively closedor sealed by the latch structures 58 and 68 may be employed in a closurein which the spout is mounted horizontally in a closed position althoughthis is not normally preferred because an essentially smooth tlat-top isnormally desired on a closure to facilitate stacking. marking and thelike.

The latch structures 58 and 68 used are of such a character that slopingsurfaces on the mating elements 64 and 72 will be engaged by the spout26 as it is totatcd to a closed position so as to automatically bend thelatch structures 58 in such a manner as to move them out of the way ofthe spout 26 it is being closed until such time as these holding means64 and 72 snap into the ends of the passage 56 so as to hold the spout26 closed. If desired, the holding means 64 and 72 can be employed toengage portions of the spout 26 other than the passage 56 such asnotches (not shown 8 within the spout 26 or the exterior of the spout 26although this is not considered preferable with the invention.

I claim:

1. A dispensing closure having a cap and a spout. .in cap including askirt for attaching said closure to a container and an opening leadingthrough said cap. said Spout being rotatably mounted on said cap andhaving a passage extending therethrough. said spout being tutpable ofbeing rotated by direct manual engagement between a closed position inwhich said or ning is sealed off by contact with said spout and an openposition in which said passage is in alignment with said opening inwhich the improvement con'tpriscs.

latch means of a resilient material formed integrally with said cap saidlatch means including a flat tab covering an end of said spout when saidspout is in said closed posi tion. said tab extending from said cap andFitting against said end of said spout to close off said end when saidspout is in said closed position, said tub being separate from saidskirt. said latch means also including a holding means es tending fromsaid tab which is enga; d by said spout when said spout is moved fromsaid open position to said closed position, such movement cans ingtemporary deflection oi said latch means until such time as said spoutis in said closed position,

said tab being sufficiently iesilient so as to engage said spout so thatsaid holding means hold said spout against movement when said spout hasbeen moved to said closed position.

said tab being exposed to the esteiior of said spout so to be capable ofbring physically engaged and pushed generally away from said spout whensaid spout is in said closed position so as to release said spout sothat it can be rotated to said o en position.

2. A dispensing closure as lillil'lfi'tl in claim 5 wherein:

said holding means comprisesan element. having a sloping surface whichis engaged by said spout when said spout is nntvert to said clt: .lpositirn. Said element engaging the interior of said pass-ago withinsaid spout when said spout is in said closed position. 3. A dispensingclosure as claimed in claim I includ ing:

5 spring means for moving said spout from said closed position w hensaid latch means is moved so as to disengage said spout.

4. A dispensing closure as claimed in claim 3 wherein.

said spring means comprises a resilient bump.

S. The combination of container and a dispensing closure having a capand a spout. said cap including a shirt for attaching said closure to acontainer and an opening leading through said cap. said spout beingrrtovably mounted on said cap and having a passage extendingtherethrough. said spout being capable of being moved between a closedposition in which said opening is sealed off by contact with said spoutand an open position in which said passage is in alignment with saidopening said container having a neck. said closure being mounted on saidneck. said container having a generally tlat surface adjacent to thebottom of said skirt and extending around said neck in which theimprovenieni con'lpi'iscs:

said spout extending generally vertically along the periphery of saidskirt when in said closed position so as to terminate in a discharge endlocated adjacent to the bottom oi said skirt.

latch tncuns oi a resilient material formed integrally with said capsaid latch means bcing located at the bottom of said slirt.

said latch means including a holding means which is engaged by saidspout when said spout is moved from said open position to said closedposition, such movement causing temporary deflection of said latch meansuntil such time as said spout is in said closed position.

said latch means being sufficiently resilient so as to engage said spoutso as to hold said spout when said spout has been moved to said closedposition, said container having a groove in said surface.

said cap luring rotatably mounted on said neck so as to be capable ofbeing rotated on said neck to a position in which said latch means andsaid discharge end are located opposite said groove,

said groove providing access to said latch means and being sufficientlylarge so as to permit said latch means to be moved away from saiddischarge end into said groove during the movement of said spout betweensaid opened and said closed positions.

A dispensing closure as claimed in claim 5 :ltl latch means l'itsagainst said discharge end so as to Closc oil said discharge end of saidspout when said spout is in a closed position.

i. A dispensing closure as claimed in claim 5 including:

(ill i t spring means lor llltliltig said spout lroni said closed positin so that it may be engaged to be moved to lid train position v. it saidlatch means is moved so as to iliscngngt: said spout hr; ll. Adisptnsing caitsurc as claimed in claim 5 7 and said cap when said spoutis in said closed posi: tion. a

9. A dispensing closure as claimed in claim including:

a second one of said latch means, said second one of said latch meansbeing adjacent to the end of said spout remote from said first latchmeans.

both of said latch means having to be temporarily deformed during themovement of said spout between said open and said closed positions.

10. A dispensing closure as claimed in claim 9 wherein:

both of said latch means fit against said spout so as to close off bothends of said passage when said spout is in said closed position,

11. A dispensing closure having a cap and a spout, said cap including askirt for attaching said closure to a container and an opening leadingthrough said cap, said spout being movably mounted on said cap andhaving a passage extending therethrough, said spout being capable ofbeing moved between a closed position in which said opening is sealedoff by contact with said spout and an open position in which saidpassage is in alignment with said opening in which the improvementcomprises:

two separate latch means of a resilient material formed integrally withsaid cap both of said latch means including a holding means which isengaged by said spout when said spout is moved from said open positionto said closed position, such movement causing temporary deflection ofsaid latch means until such time as said spout is in said closedposition, said holding means engaging spaced extremities of said spoutwhen spout is in said closed position,

said holding means on each of said latch means comprising an elementhaving a sloping surface which is engaged by said spout when said spoutis moved to said closed position, said elements engaging the interior ofsaid passage when said spout is in said closed position,

said latch means fitting against opposite ends of said spout so as toclose off the ends of said passage when said spout is in a closedposition,

said latch means being sufficiently resilient so as to engage said spoutso that said holding means hold said spout against movement when saidspout has been moved to said closed position,

said latch means being exposed to the exterior of said spout so as to becapable of being physically engaged when said spout is in said closedposition to release said spout for movement to said open position, and

spring means for moving said spout from said closed position when saidlatch means are moved so as to disengage said spout.

12. A dispensing closure as claimed in claim 11 wherein:

said spring means comprises a resilient bump positioned so as to extendgenerally between said spout and said cap when said spout is in saidclosed position.

13. A dispensing closure having a cap and a spout, said cap including askirt for attaching said closure to a container and an opening leadingthrough said cap, said spout being movably mounted on said cap andhaving a passage extending therethrough, said spout being capable ofbeing moved between a closed position in which said opening is sealedoff by contact with said spout and an open position in which saidpassage is in alignment with said opening in which the improvementcomprises:

two separate latch means of a resilient material formed integrally withsaid cap said latch means including a holding means which is engaged bysaid spout when said spout is moved from said open position to saidclosed position, such movement causing temporary deflection of saidlatch means until such time as said spout is in said closed position,

said latch means being sufficiently resilient so as to engage said spoutso as to hold said spout when said spout has been moved to said closedposition, and engaging spaced extremities of said spout,

said spout being rotatably mounted on said closure skirt so as to extenddownwardly in a generally vertical direction along the periphery of saidskirt when in a closed position and so as to extend generallyhorizontally when in said open position,

14. A dispensing closure as claimed in claim 13 wherein:

one of said latch means fits against said spout in said open position soas to tend to hold said spout in said open position 15. A dispensingclosure having a cap and a spout, said cap including a skirt forattaching said closure to a container and an opening leading throughsaid cap, said spout being rotatably mounted on said cap and having apassage extending therethrough, said spout being capable of beingrotated between a closed posi tion in which said opening is sealed offby contact with said spout and an open position in which said passage isin alignment with said opening in which the improvement comprises;

two separate latch means of a resilient material formed integrally withsaid cap each of said latch means including a flat tab covering an endof said spout when said spout is in said closed position, each of saidtabs extending from said cap,

each of said latch means including a holding means which is engaged bysaid spout when said spout is moved from said open position to saidclosed position, such movement causing temporary deflection of saidlatch means until such time as said spout is in said closed position,

both of said latch means being sufficiently resilient so as to engagesaid spout so as to hold said spout when said spout has been moved tosaid closed position,

each of said latch means being accessible from the exterior of saidclosure so as to be capable of being moved so as to permit rotation ofsaid spout from said open to said closed position,

said spout being unattached to either of said latch means.

16. A dispensing closure as claimed in claim 15 wherein:

there are two of said latch means, one of said latch means engaging oneextremity of said spout when said spout is in said closed position, theother of said latch means engaging the other extremity of said spoutwhen said spout is in said closed position,

said holding means on each of said latch means comprises an elementhaving a sloping surface which is engaged by said spout when said spoutis moved to said closed position, said elements engaging the interior ofsaid passage when said spout is in said closed position,

each of said latch means fits against an end of said spout so as toclose off the ends of said passage when said spout is in a closedposition, and including,

spring means for moving said spout from said closed position when saidlatch means are moved so as to disengage said spout,

said spout is rotatably mounted on said closure skirt so as to extenddownwardly in a generally vertical direction along the periphery of saidskirt when in a closed position and so as to extend generallyhorizontally when in said open position,

one of said latch means fits against said spout in said open position soas to tend to hold said spout in said open position.

17. A dispensing closure having a cap and a spout, said cap including askirt for attaching said closure to a container and an opening leadingthrough said cap, said spout being movably mounted on said cap andhaving a passage extending therethrough, said spout being capable ofbeing moved between a closed position in which said opening is sealedoff by contact with said spout and an open position in which saidpassage is in alignment with said opening in which the improvementcomprises:

latch means of a resilient material formed integrally with said cap saidlatch means including a holding means which is engaged by said spoutwhen said spout is moved from said open position to said closedposition, such movement causing temporary deflection of said latch meansuntil such time as said spout is in said closed position,

said latch means being sufficiently resilient so as to engage said spoutso that said holding means hold said spout against movement when saidspout has been moved to said closed position,

said latch means being exposed to the exterior of said spout so as to becapable of being physically engaged when said spout is in said closedposition to release said spout for movement to said open position,

said spout being rotatably mounted on said closure skirt so as to extenddownwardly in a generally vertical direction along the periphery of saidskirt when in a closed position and so as to extend generallyhorizontally when in said open position,

said holding means comprises an element having a sloping surface whichis engaged by said spout when said spout is moved to said closedposition, said element engaging the interior of said passage within saidspout when said spout is in said closed position,

said latch means fitting against an end of said spout so as to close offsaid end when said spout is in a closed position.

1. A dispensing closure having a cap and a spout, said cap including askirt for attaching said closure to a container and an opening leadingthrough said cap, said spout being rotatably mounted on said cap andhaving a passage extending therethrough, said spout being capable ofbeing rotated by direct manual engagement between a closed position inwhich said opening is sealed off by contact with said spout and an openposition in which said passage is in alignment with said opening inwhich the improvement comprises: latch means of a resilient materialformed integrally with said cap said latch means including a flat tabcovering an end of said spout when said spout is in said closedposition, said tab extending from said cap and fitting against said endof said spout to close off said end when said spout is in said closedposition, said tab being separate from said skirt, said latch means alsoincluding a holding means extending from said tab which is engaged bysaid spout when said spout is moved from said open position to saidclosed position, such movement causing temporary deflection of saidlatch means until such time as said spout is in said closed position,said tab being sufficiently resilient so as to engage said spout so thatsaid holding means hold said spout against movement when said spout hasbeen moved to said closed position, said tab being exposed to theexterior of said spout so as to be capable of being physically engagedand pushed generally away from said spout when said spout is in saidclosed position so as to release said spout so that it can be rotated tosaid open position.
 2. A dispensing closure as claimed in claim 1wherein: said holding means comprises an element having a slopingsurface which is engaged by said spout when said spout is moved to saidclosed position, said element engaging the interior of said passagewithin said spout when said spout is in said closed position.
 3. Adispensing closure as claimed in claim 1 including: spring means formoving said spout from said closed position when said latch means ismoved so as to disengage said spout.
 4. A dispensing closure as claimedin claim 3 wherein: said spring means comprises a resilient bump.
 5. Thecombination of a container and a dispensing closure having a cap and aspout, said cap including a skirt for attaching said closure to acontainer and an opening leading through said cap, said spout beingmovably mounted on said cap and having a passage extending therethrough,said spout being capable of being moved between a closed position inwhich said opening is sealed off by contact with said spout and an openposition in which said passage is in alignment with said opening, saidcontainer having a neck, said closure being mounted on said neck, saidcontainer having a generally flat surface adjacent to the bottom of saidskirt and extending around said neck in which the improvement comprises:said spout extending generally vertically along the periphery of saidskirt when in said closed position so as to terminate in a discharge endlocated adjacent to the bottom of said skirt, latch means of a resilientmaterial formed integrally with said cap said latch means being locatedat the bottom of said skirt, said latch means including a holding meanswhich is engaged by said spout when said spout is moved from said openposition to said closed position, such movement causing temporarydeflection of said latch means until such time as said spout is in saidclosed position, said latch means being sufficiently resilient so as toengage said spout so as to hold said spout when said spout has beenmoved to said closed position, said container having a groove in saidsurface, said cap being rotatably mounted on said neck so as to becapable of being rotated on said neck to a position in which said latchmeans and said discharge end are located Opposite said groove, saidgroove providing access to said latch means and being sufficiently largeso as to permit said latch means to be moved away from said dischargeend into said groove during the movement of said spout between saidopened and said closed positions.
 6. A dispensing closure as claimed inclaim 5 wherein: said latch means fits against said discharge end so asto close off said discharge end of said spout when said spout is in aclosed position.
 7. A dispensing closure as claimed in claim 5including: spring means for moving said spout from said closed positionso that it may be engaged to be moved to said open position when saidlatch means is moved so as to disengage said spout.
 8. A dispensingclosure as claimed in claim 5 wherein: said spring means comprises aresilient bump positioned so as to extend generally between said spoutand said cap when said spout is in said closed position. a
 9. Adispensing closure as claimed in claim 5 including: a second one of saidlatch means, said second one of said latch means being adjacent to theend of said spout remote from said first latch means, both of said latchmeans having to be temporarily deformed during the movement of saidspout between said open and said closed positions.
 10. A dispensingclosure as claimed in claim 9 wherein: both of said latch means fitagainst said spout so as to close off both ends of said passage whensaid spout is in said closed position.
 11. A dispensing closure having acap and a spout, said cap including a skirt for attaching said closureto a container and an opening leading through said cap, said spout beingmovably mounted on said cap and having a passage extending therethrough,said spout being capable of being moved between a closed position inwhich said opening is sealed off by contact with said spout and an openposition in which said passage is in alignment with said opening inwhich the improvement comprises: two separate latch means of a resilientmaterial formed integrally with said cap both of said latch meansincluding a holding means which is engaged by said spout when said spoutis moved from said open position to said closed position, such movementcausing temporary deflection of said latch means until such time as saidspout is in said closed position, said holding means engaging spacedextremities of said spout when spout is in said closed position, saidholding means on each of said latch means comprising an element having asloping surface which is engaged by said spout when said spout is movedto said closed position, said elements engaging the interior of saidpassage when said spout is in said closed position, said latch meansfitting against opposite ends of said spout so as to close off the endsof said passage when said spout is in a closed position, said latchmeans being sufficiently resilient so as to engage said spout so thatsaid holding means hold said spout against movement when said spout hasbeen moved to said closed position, said latch means being exposed tothe exterior of said spout so as to be capable of being physicallyengaged when said spout is in said closed position to release said spoutfor movement to said open position, and spring means for moving saidspout from said closed position when said latch means are moved so as todisengage said spout.
 12. A dispensing closure as claimed in claim 11wherein: said spring means comprises a resilient bump positioned so asto extend generally between said spout and said cap when said spout isin said closed position.
 13. A dispensing closure having a cap and aspout, said cap including a skirt for attaching said closure to acontainer and an opening leading through said cap, said spout beingmovably mounted on said cap and having a passage extending therethrough,said spout being capable of being moved between a closed position inwhich said opening is sealed off by contaCt with said spout and an openposition in which said passage is in alignment with said opening inwhich the improvement comprises: two separate latch means of a resilientmaterial formed integrally with said cap said latch means including aholding means which is engaged by said spout when said spout is movedfrom said open position to said closed position, such movement causingtemporary deflection of said latch means until such time as said spoutis in said closed position, said latch means being sufficientlyresilient so as to engage said spout so as to hold said spout when saidspout has been moved to said closed position, and engaging spacedextremities of said spout, said spout being rotatably mounted on saidclosure skirt so as to extend downwardly in a generally verticaldirection along the periphery of said skirt when in a closed positionand so as to extend generally horizontally when in said open position.14. A dispensing closure as claimed in claim 13 wherein: one of saidlatch means fits against said spout in said open position so as to tendto hold said spout in said open position.
 15. A dispensing closurehaving a cap and a spout, said cap including a skirt for attaching saidclosure to a container and an opening leading through said cap, saidspout being rotatably mounted on said cap and having a passage extendingtherethrough, said spout being capable of being rotated between a closedposition in which said opening is sealed off by contact with said spoutand an open position in which said passage is in alignment with saidopening in which the improvement comprises: two separate latch means ofa resilient material formed integrally with said cap each of said latchmeans including a flat tab covering an end of said spout when said spoutis in said closed position, each of said tabs extending from said cap,each of said latch means including a holding means which is engaged bysaid spout when said spout is moved from said open position to saidclosed position, such movement causing temporary deflection of saidlatch means until such time as said spout is in said closed position,both of said latch means being sufficiently resilient so as to engagesaid spout so as to hold said spout when said spout has been moved tosaid closed position, each of said latch means being accessible from theexterior of said closure so as to be capable of being moved so as topermit rotation of said spout from said open to said closed position,said spout being unattached to either of said latch means.
 16. Adispensing closure as claimed in claim 15 wherein: there are two of saidlatch means, one of said latch means engaging one extremity of saidspout when said spout is in said closed position, the other of saidlatch means engaging the other extremity of said spout when said spoutis in said closed position, said holding means on each of said latchmeans comprises an element having a sloping surface which is engaged bysaid spout when said spout is moved to said closed position, saidelements engaging the interior of said passage when said spout is insaid closed position, each of said latch means fits against an end ofsaid spout so as to close off the ends of said passage when said spoutis in a closed position, and including, spring means for moving saidspout from said closed position when said latch means are moved so as todisengage said spout, said spout is rotatably mounted on said closureskirt so as to extend downwardly in a generally vertical direction alongthe periphery of said skirt when in a closed position and so as toextend generally horizontally when in said open position, one of saidlatch means fits against said spout in said open position so as to tendto hold said spout in said open position.
 17. A dispensing closurehaving a cap and a spout, said cap including a skirt for attaching saidclosure to a container and an opening leading through said cap, saidspoUt being movably mounted on said cap and having a passage extendingtherethrough, said spout being capable of being moved between a closedposition in which said opening is sealed off by contact with said spoutand an open position in which said passage is in alignment with saidopening in which the improvement comprises: latch means of a resilientmaterial formed integrally with said cap said latch means including aholding means which is engaged by said spout when said spout is movedfrom said open position to said closed position, such movement causingtemporary deflection of said latch means until such time as said spoutis in said closed position, said latch means being sufficientlyresilient so as to engage said spout so that said holding means holdsaid spout against movement when said spout has been moved to saidclosed position, said latch means being exposed to the exterior of saidspout so as to be capable of being physically engaged when said spout isin said closed position to release said spout for movement to said openposition, said spout being rotatably mounted on said closure skirt so asto extend downwardly in a generally vertical direction along theperiphery of said skirt when in a closed position and so as to extendgenerally horizontally when in said open position, said holding meanscomprises an element having a sloping surface which is engaged by saidspout when said spout is moved to said closed position, said elementengaging the interior of said passage within said spout when said spoutis in said closed position, said latch means fitting against an end ofsaid spout so as to close off said end when said spout is in a closedposition.